Pakistan Temporarily Halts Operation Ghazb-ul-Haq on Eid-ul-Fitr

Pakistan has decided to temporarily suspend its ongoing Operation Ghazb-ul-Haq in Afghanistan during Eid-ul-Fitr, according to Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Minister Tarar said that the pause was implemented at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. The temporary halt will be effective from midnight tonight until 12:00 AM on March 24. He clarified that any cross-border attacks during this period would trigger the immediate resumption of the operation with full intensity.

Operation Ghazb-ul-Haq, launched on February 26, 2026, targets terrorists and their supporting infrastructure in Afghanistan. As of March 15, 2026, Pakistani security forces have killed 684 members of the Afghan Taliban regime and injured over 912 others.

TEMPORARY PAUSE IN OPERATION GHAZAB LIL HAQ
(18 Mar 26)

In view of the upcoming Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, upon its own initiative as well as on the request from the brotherly Islamic countries of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye,…

— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) March 18, 2026

The operation has resulted in the destruction of 252 Taliban posts, the capture of 44 positions, and the elimination of 229 tanks and armed vehicles. Airstrikes have targeted 73 locations across Afghanistan, while Pakistani forces also neutralized technical support and weapons storage facilities in Kandahar province.

Minister Tarar emphasized that all actions have avoided civilian areas and infrastructure in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, and that tactical points used for cross-border terrorist activities were specifically targeted.

The temporary halt allows for a pause during the festive period while maintaining readiness to resume operations if threats emerge.